Intelligent network of hydrogen supply modules

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for managing hydrogen deployment within a heterogeneous hydrogen supply environment is provided. An electronic controller monitors hydrogen supply modules, evaluates conditions relating to the hydrogen supply modules, and affects hydrogen deployment. The electronic controller may also monitor hydrogen utilizers within the heterogeneous hydrogen supply environment. Various means for adjusting hydrogen deployment are discussed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application and claims the benefit ofpriority under 35 USC 120 of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/104,177, filedApr. 11, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for dispensing hydrogenwithin an environment with heterogeneous hydrogen requirements. Theinvention further relates to a network of hydrogen supply modules andcorresponding method for managing hydrogen deployment.

The developing use of hydrogen as an energy carrier will requirebroad-based and flexible hydrogen supply systems to provide hydrogenefficiently to a large number of diverse hydrogen consumers.

Numerous hydrogen applications are being developed, includinghydrogen-powered fuel cell or internal combustion vehicles, stationarypower applications, backup power units, power grid management, power forremote locations, and portable power applications in consumerelectronics, business machinery, and recreational equipment. Hydrogendispensing stations will be needed for vehicle refueling, and smallerrefill centers will be needed for portable devices such as computers,power tools, mobile communication devices, and other electronicequipment.

With the numerous hydrogen applications, warehouse distribution centers,airports, seaport docks, truck loading docks, offices, factories,shopping malls, sustainable towns and cities, and industrialenvironments will require a heterogeneous hydrogen supply environment. Awide range of power production devices, hydrogen storage technologieswith different performance characteristics will be in use. In thiscomplex environment, hydrogen will need to be supplied at differentpressures, purities, and usage rates within the local environment.Hydrogen supply to several of these sites is further complicated becauseeach of them has a unique usage pattern.

For example hydrogen fuel cells require a much higher purity hydrogenthan internal combustion engines (ICEs) that run on hydrogen. Certainimpurities, such as carbon monoxide in the hydrogen may poison a typicalproton exchange membrane fuel cell but would have no negative impact onan ICE.

Hydrogen storage systems also have different hydrogen requirements. Forexample, metal hydrogen tanks store hydrogen typically at about 250 psiaand have restrictions on impurities, for example less than 2 ppm carbonmonoxide. Compressed gas storage tanks can store hydrogen up to about10,000 psia and can accept higher levels of impurities.

Because the hydrogen volume requirements in these hydrogen applicationswill vary significantly and because the diverse hydrogen utilizers willbe geographically dispersed, the logistics of hydrogen supply undernormal conditions will be complex but manageable. Under abnormalconditions, however, hydrogen supply logistics may be especially complexand unpredictable. Abnormal conditions would occur, for example, when onsite hydrogen generators malfunction or are shut down for maintenance,or alternatively when local hydrogen demand temporarily exceeds localsupply capability or storage capacity. There is a need to solve theproblem of hydrogen management within the diverse heterogeneous hydrogenenvironment.

More specifically, there is a need for flexible and adaptable hydrogensupply methods to address these problems and supply hydrogen within aheterogeneous hydrogen environment and to address the interconnectivityof the various hydrogen utilizers within a heterogeneous hydrogenenvironment. Embodiments of the present invention, which are describedbelow and defined by the claims that follow, address this need and offerflexible hydrogen supply alternatives for varied user requirements underboth normal and abnormal demand conditions

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a heterogeneous hydrogen supply networkcomprising hydrogen supply modules, an electronic controller, and ameans for adjusting hydrogen deployment. Each of the hydrogen supplymodules comprise a hydrogen source, a sensor for measuring a conditionrelating to the hydrogen source, and a dispensing connector in fluidcommunication with the hydrogen source. At least one of the dispensingconnectors of one of the hydrogen supply modules is distinct from atleast one of the dispensing connectors of another of the hydrogen supplymodules. The electronic controller is in communication with the hydrogensupply modules and evaluates a set of conditions produced by thesensors. The means for adjusting hydrogen deployment is in communicationwith the electronic controller.

The hydrogen source may comprise a hydrogen storage vessel, a hydrogengenerator, and/or a chemical hydride.

The means for adjusting hydrogen deployment may comprise a conveyancefor moving a hydrogen supply module.

A hydrogen supply module may comprise an electricity generation meansfor converting hydrogen to electricity. A hydrogen supply module maycomprise a battery and/or a capacitor. A hydrogen supply module maycomprise a telemeter in communication with the electronic controller. Ahydrogen supply modules may comprise a positioning system incommunication with the electronic controller.

The heterogeneous hydrogen supply network may comprise a means forcommunicating information relating to a hydrogen delivery from anexternal hydrogen supply to the electronic controller.

The means for adjusting hydrogen deployment may comprise a conduit forcontrollably transferring hydrogen between hydrogen supply modules.

The heterogeneous hydrogen supply network may comprise hydrogenutilizers having various hydrogen requirements. Hydrogen utilizers maycomprise a receiver for receiving instructions from the electroniccontroller as to where to acquire hydrogen. Hydrogen utilizers maycomprise a telemeter and/or a positioning system. Hydrogen utilizers maycomprise a sensor for measure a condition relating to hydrogen stored onthe hydrogen utilizer. Hydrogen utilizers may comprise a battery and/orcapacitor.

The means for adjusting hydrogen deployment may comprise a detachablefluid connection for transferring hydrogen between two hydrogenutilizers.

The present invention also relates to a method for distributing hydrogenwithin a heterogeneous hydrogen supply environment comprising dispensinghydrogen from hydrogen supply modules to hydrogen utilizers,subsequently measuring at least one condition relating to a hydrogensource at each of the hydrogen supply modules thereby forming a set ofmeasured conditions, communicating the set of measured conditions to anelectronic controller, evaluating the set of measured conditions via theelectronic controller, and adjusting hydrogen deployment in response tothe step of evaluating the set of measured conditions.

The step of adjusting hydrogen deployment may comprise moving a hydrogensupply module and subsequently dispensing hydrogen from the hydrogensupply module.

The step of dispensing hydrogen from hydrogen supply modules to hydrogenutilizers may comprise dispensing hydrogen to a hydrogen utilizer havinga first hydrogen requirement at a first location and the step ofadjusting hydrogen deployment may further comprise dispensing hydrogento another hydrogen utilizer having a second hydrogen requirement at asecond location.

The inventive method may further comprise transferring hydrogen from ahydrogen utilizer to a hydrogen supply module during the dispensing stepand later dispensing at least a portion of that hydrogen at anotherlocation.

The step of adjusting hydrogen deployment may comprise directing ahydrogen utilizer to a hydrogen supply module and dispensing hydrogenfrom the hydrogen supply module to the hydrogen utilizer. The inventivemethod may comprise determining the position of the hydrogen utilizerand evaluating the position of the hydrogen utilizer via the electroniccontroller prior to directing the hydrogen utilizer to the hydrogensupply module. The inventive method may comprise determining theposition of a hydrogen supply module and evaluating the position of thehydrogen supply module via the electronic controller prior to adjustinghydrogen deployment.

The step of adjusting hydrogen deployment may comprise transferringhydrogen from a hydrogen supply module to another hydrogen supplymodule.

The inventive method may comprise acquiring information relating to ahydrogen delivery to the heterogeneous supply environment from anexternal supply, communicating the information relating to the hydrogendelivery to the electronic controller, and evaluating the informationvia the electronic controller. The step of adjusting hydrogen deploymentmay then be additionally in response to this evaluation.

The inventive method may comprise determining the position of twohydrogen utilizers, measuring a condition relating to stored hydrogen ineach of the two hydrogen utilizers, communicating the conditions to theelectronic controller, and evaluating the conditions via the electroniccontroller. The step of adjusting hydrogen deployment may then comprisetransferring hydrogen from one of the hydrogen utilizers to the otherhydrogen utilizer.

The inventive method may comprise measuring a condition relating tostored hydrogen of a hydrogen utilizer and communicating the conditionto the electronic controller. The step of adjusting hydrogen deploymentmay then comprise directing the hydrogen utilizer to a hydrogen supplymodule and transferring hydrogen from the hydrogen utilizer to thehydrogen supply module.

The inventive method may comprise measuring a condition relating to ahydrogen utilizer's stored hydrogen, measuring a condition relating to ahydrogen utilizer's stored electricity, and communicating theseconditions to the electronic controller. Then the step of adjustinghydrogen deployment comprises instructing the hydrogen utilizer topreferentially consume either hydrogen or electricity.

The inventive method may comprise consuming hydrogen from a hydrogensupply module's hydrogen source to generate electricity and storinggenerated electricity in a battery and/or a capacitor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment according to theinvention showing hydrogen supply modules.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an alternative embodimentaccording to the invention showing hydrogen supply modules and hydrogenutilizers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Compressed hydrogen gas is defined as hydrogen gas above its criticalpressure, which is about 12.8 atmospheres.

Pressurized hydrogen gas is defined as hydrogen gas above atmosphericpressure but below hydrogen's critical pressure.

The invention with its embodiments will be described with reference tothe figures.

A schematic of a heterogeneous hydrogen supply network 1 is shown inFIG. 1 comprising a plurality of hydrogen supply modules 10, 20, and 30,an electronic controller 100, and means for adjusting hydrogendeployment. Various means for adjusting hydrogen deployment arediscussed throughout this disclosure. Hydrogen deployment pertains touse, consumption, and dispensing of hydrogen.

Although illustrated with three hydrogen supply modules, the network mayemploy any number of hydrogen supply modules greater than one. Each ofthe hydrogen supply modules 10, 20, and 30 comprise a correspondinghydrogen source 13, 23, and 33, which may be a hydrogen storage vesseland/or a hydrogen generator. A hydrogen supply module may also comprisemultiple hydrogen storage vessels and/or hydrogen generators. Forexample, a hydrogen supply module may comprise a high pressure hydrogenstorage vessel, a low pressure hydrogen storage vessel, and anelectrolyzer for generating hydrogen.

Each of the hydrogen supply modules 10, 20, and 30 also comprise acorresponding sensor 11, 21, and 31 for measuring a condition relatingto the corresponding hydrogen source 13, 23, and 33. The sensors 11, 21,and 31 may be pressure sensors, densitometers, scales, temperaturessensors, purity sensors, or combinations thereof. The conditionsmeasured by the sensors may be related to the amount of stored hydrogen,the density of the stored hydrogen, the purity of stored hydrogen, thepressure of stored hydrogen, the temperature of the stored hydrogen, theinstant rate of hydrogen production of a hydrogen generator, or themaximum rate of hydrogen production of a hydrogen generator. Incombination, the sensors of the hydrogen supply modules generate a setof measured conditions.

Telemeters may be integrated with the sensors 11, 21, and 31. Atelemeter is any of various devices for measuring and transmitting dataautomatically from a source, i.e. the hydrogen supply modules 10, 20,and 30, to a receiving station i.e. the electronic controller 100.

The hydrogen supply modules 10, 20 and 30 also each comprise adispensing connector in fluid communication with the hydrogen source fordispensing hydrogen. At least one of the hydrogen supply modules has adispensing connector that is distinct from the dispensing connector ofanother of the hydrogen supply modules. Having distinct dispensingconnectors means that one of the dispensing connectors dispenses onehydrogen requirement while the other dispensing connector dispensesanother (different) hydrogen requirement. A hydrogen requirement is aspecification relating to at least one of the state or phase (solid,liquid, gas, supercritical), pressure, temperature, and purity of thehydrogen. A first hydrogen supply module may have a first dispensingconnector for dispensing a first hydrogen requirement while a secondhydrogen supply module may have a second dispensing connector fordispensing a second hydrogen requirement that is different from thefirst hydrogen requirement. A hydrogen requirement could be, forexample, liquid hydrogen. Another hydrogen requirement could becompressed hydrogen at greater than a specified pressure. Yet anotherhydrogen requirement could be hydrogen at a pressure between 1 and 2atmospheres. Another hydrogen requirement could be hydrogen at a purityof 99.999% and less than 1 ppm CO. In a heterogeneous hydrogenenvironment, there will be hydrogen utilizers having different hydrogenrequirements than other hydrogen utilizers. In FIG. 1, hydrogen supplymodule 10 has dispensing connector 14 and optional dispensing connector15, hydrogen supply module 20 has dispensing connectors 24 and 25, andhydrogen supply module 30 has dispensing connectors 34 and 35. Forexample, dispensing connector 14 may be a connector for dispensingliquid hydrogen and optional dispensing connector 15 may be a connectorfor dispensing pressurized hydrogen. Also, for example, dispensingconnector 24 may be a connector for dispensing compressed hydrogen anddispensing connector 25 may be a dispensing connector for dispensingpressurized hydrogen.

The electronic controller 100 is in communication with hydrogen supplymodules 10, 20 and 30. The set of measured conditions generated by thesensors 11, 21, and 31 may be communicated to the electronic controller100 by wired or wireless means. The electronic controller 100 evaluatesthe set of measured conditions and makes decisions about how to adjusthydrogen deployment within the heterogeneous hydrogen supply network.Although a single electronic controller 100 is shown, the network mayemploy multiple electronic controllers. The hydrogen deployment isadjusted via various means.

In one embodiment of the invention, a means for adjusting hydrogendeployment comprises a conveyance (not shown) for moving a hydrogensupply module. The conveyance may be a forklift, a conveyor belt, a handtruck, a trailer, a wagon, a cart, a boat, a ship, a barge, a truck orany related device.

Hydrogen supply modules 10, 20, and 30 may comprise positioning systems12, 22, and 32, respectively. The positioning system may be theubiquitous Global Positioning System (GPS) or it may be simply aposition identifier associated with a connection in positions 1, 2, 3,or 4. For example, the hydrogen supply module 10 may have a modem (notshown) that is connected to a wall jack in position 1 that provides asignal to the electronic controller 100 identifying the modules'location.

In another embodiment of the invention, a means for adjusting hydrogendeployment comprises a conduit connecting hydrogen supply modules. InFIG. 1, conduit 19 connects hydrogen supply modules 10 and 20, andconduit 29 connects hydrogen supply modules 20 and 30. Conduits 19 and29 provide controllable fluid communication between the hydrogen storagevessels or may provide fluid communication between a hydrogen generatorof one hydrogen supply module and the storage vessel of another hydrogensupply module. Actuated valves may be used to regulate the flow betweenhydrogen supply modules.

In another embodiment of the invention, a hydrogen source 13, 23, or 33,may be a hydrogen generator that converts electricity to hydrogen, anelectrolyzer for example. In another embodiment of the invention, ahydrogen source 13, 23, or 33 may be a reformer. In another embodimentof the invention, a hydrogen source 13, 23 or 33 may comprise a chemicalhydride.

In another embodiment of the invention, a hydrogen supply module maycomprise an electricity generation means, represented in FIG. 1 by 16for module 10, and 26 for module 20, for converting hydrogen toelectricity. The electricity generation means may be a fuel cell or itmay be a hydrogen powered internal combustion engine coupled to anelectric generator. The electricity may be used at the hydrogen supplymodule to provide lighting or accomplish some other function.Electricity may be transferred, or it may be stored.

In another embodiment of the invention, a hydrogen supply module maycomprise an electricity storage means, represented in FIG. 1 by 37 inmodule 30, such as a battery or a capacitor. It may be useful to converthydrogen to electricity and store it in a battery or a capacitor forfuture use. The electricity may also be transferred to another hydrogensupply module.

The heterogeneous hydrogen supply network 1 may further comprise aplurality of hydrogen utilizers 50, 60, and 70 as illustrated in theembodiment in FIG. 2. A hydrogen utilizer is any device that useshydrogen. A hydrogen utilizer may comprise a fuel cell to generateelectric current or it may comprise a combustion engine. Hydrogenutilizer might include power tools, electronic devices, appliances, fuelcell vehicles (cars, buses, recreational vehicles, boats, forklifts,cranes, trucks, emergency vehicles, motorcycles, golf carts, scooters,and tractors), stationary power fuel cells, and backup of powergenerators. The elements described in FIG. 1. apply also to FIG. 2.Although illustrated with three hydrogen utilizers, the network mayemploy any number of hydrogen utilizers greater than one. At least oneof the hydrogen utilizers has a different hydrogen requirement than atleast one other hydrogen utilizer in the heterogeneous hydrogen supplynetwork 1. For example, hydrogen utilizer 50 may require liquidhydrogen, while hydrogen utilizer 60 may require compressed hydrogen,while hydrogen utilizer 70 may require pressurized hydrogen.

Each of the hydrogen utilizers 50, 60, and 70 comprise a correspondingconnector 54, 65, and 75 for receiving a dispensing connector. Forexample, connector 54 may be a liquid hydrogen type connector forreceiving dispensing connector 14. For example, connector 65 may be acompressed hydrogen type connector for receiving dispensing connector24. And, for example, connector 75 may be a pressurized hydrogen typeconnector for receiving either pressurized hydrogen dispensing connector15 or dispensing connector 25.

In an embodiment of the invention, a means for adjusting hydrogendeployment comprises a receiver on board a hydrogen utilizer forreceiving instruction from the electronic controller 100. Receiver 56 isshown on board hydrogen utilizer 50, receiver 66 is shown on boardhydrogen utilizer 60 and receiver 76 is shown on board hydrogen utilizer70. The receiver may comprise a display indicating which position to goto for acquiring hydrogen. The controller may automatically inform thehydrogen utilizer about a preferred location for getting hydrogen or theoperator of the hydrogen utilizer may inquire to the electroniccontroller and receive direction regarding which location to gethydrogen.

Hydrogen utilizers 50, 60, and 70 may comprise positioning systems 52,62, and 72, respectively. The positioning system may be the ubiquitousGlobal Positioning System (GPS) or it may be simply a positionidentifier associated with a hard wire connection within theheterogeneous hydrogen supply network 1. The electronic controller 100may evaluate the location of the hydrogen utilizer before directing thehydrogen utilizer to a particular hydrogen supply module or location.

Each of the hydrogen utilizers 50, 60, and 70 may also comprise acorresponding sensor 51, 61, and 71 for measuring a condition relatingto the corresponding hydrogen stored in the hydrogen utilizer. Thesensors 51, 61, and 71 may be pressure sensors, densitometers, scales,temperatures sensors, purity sensors, or combinations thereof. Theconditions measured by the sensors may be related to one or more of theamount of stored hydrogen, the purity of stored hydrogen, the pressureof stored hydrogen, or the temperature of the stored hydrogen.Telemeters may be integrated with the sensors 51, 61, and 71.

In another embodiment of the invention, a means for adjusting hydrogendeployment comprises a detachable fluid connection between hydrogenutilizers for transferring hydrogen between hydrogen utilizers. In FIG.2, the detachable fluid connection is represented by conduit 59 betweenhydrogen utilizer 50 and utilizer 60 and by conduit 69 between hydrogenutilizer 60 and hydrogen utilizer 70. Conduits 59 and 69 providecontrollable fluid communication between the hydrogen storage vessels.An analogy for the fluid connection between hydrogen utilizers might bea cigarette lighter adapter in a car for transferring power to a mobilephone battery.

The hydrogen utilizers may also comprise a detachable electricalconnection to transfer electricity between the hydrogen utilizers.

In another embodiment of the invention, hydrogen utilizers 50, 60, and70 may comprise electricity storage means, represented by 57, 67, and77, respectively. The electricity storage means may be one or morebatteries or capacitors.

In another embodiment of the invention, the heterogeneous supply network1 comprises a means for communicating information related to a hydrogendelivery from an external hydrogen supply 110 to the electroniccontroller 100. Hydrogen may be delivered from an off-site supplier by atanker truck or by boat in the case the heterogeneous supply network 1is located at the docks of a seaport. The information relating to thehydrogen delivery from an external supply may be the delivery time, adelay of the scheduled delivery time, the price of the hydrogendelivery, the quantity of hydrogen to be delivered or the specificationof the hydrogen to be delivered. The means for communicating hydrogendelivery information may be as simple as a phone call from the hydrogensupplier, where the information is manually input to the electroniccontroller 100. The means for communicating hydrogen deliveryinformation may be automatic comprising a GPS on the delivery vehiclemay take into account instant traffic conditions to estimate the time ofarrival of the delivery vehicle.

The method according to the current invention comprises dispensinghydrogen from a plurality of hydrogen supply modules to a plurality ofhydrogen utilizers, subsequently measuring a condition relating to ahydrogen source at each of the hydrogen supply modules, communicatingthe measured conditions to an electronic controller, evaluating themeasured conditions via the electronic controller, and adjustinghydrogen deployment. According to the invention, a first hydrogenutilizer within the set of the plurality of hydrogen utilizers has afirst hydrogen requirement and a second hydrogen utilizer within the setof the plurality of hydrogen utilizers has a second hydrogen requirementwhich is different from the first hydrogen requirement. For example,with reference to FIG. 2, the current invention encompasses dispensinghydrogen from a plurality of hydrogen supply modules 10, 20, and 30 to aplurality of hydrogen utilizers 50, 60, and 70, subsequently measuring acondition relating to a hydrogen source 13, 23, and 33 with sensors 11,21, and 31, respectively at each of the hydrogen supply modules 10, 20,and 30, communicating the measured conditions to an electroniccontroller 100, evaluating the measured conditions via the electroniccontroller 100, and adjusting hydrogen deployment within theheterogeneous hydrogen supply environment.

12. The hydrogen source may be a hydrogen storage vessel. The hydrogenmay be stored as a liquid in a cryogenic storage vessel. The hydrogenmay be compressed hydrogen stored in one or more high pressurecylinders. The hydrogen may be pressurized hydrogen gas stored in asuitable storage vessel. The measured condition relating to the hydrogenstorage vessel may be the pressure, the density, the inventory, themass, the temperature, and/or the purity of the stored hydrogen.

The hydrogen source may be a hydrogen generator. Hydrogen may beproduced by electrolysis, reforming of natural gas or other hydrocarbonfuel, or other means known in the art. The measured condition relatingto the hydrogen generator may be the instant rate of hydrogenproduction, the maximum rate of hydrogen production, the instant priceof electricity, or the instant price of natural gas. The natural gas maybe from a local pipeline or derived from liquefied natural gas (LNG).The electronic controller may evaluate the cost effectiveness ofproducing hydrogen using an optimization algorithm. For example, thecost of electricity may go down at night due to reduced demand. Duringthat time, it may be cost effective to generate hydrogen and store itfor dispensing the next day.

The hydrogen produced by the hydrogen generator may be dispensed to ahydrogen utilizer as it is being produced. Or, the produced hydrogen maybe transferred to a storage vessel associated with the hydrogen supplymodule thereby becoming stored hydrogen.

The hydrogen source may be a chemical hydride. The condition relating tothe chemical hydride may be the percent of unspent chemical hydride, themass of chemical hydride, or temperature.

By measuring the conditions relating to various hydrogen sources, storedand generated hydrogen, the electronic controller may manage andoptimize the energy purchase and utilization for the heterogeneoushydrogen supply environment.

In an embodiment of the inventive method, the step of adjusting hydrogendeployment comprises moving a hydrogen supply module and subsequentlydispensing hydrogen from the hydrogen supply module. For example,hydrogen supply module 10 may dispense liquid hydrogen while in position1. Hydrogen supply module 10 may then be moved, for example, to position4 to dispense more liquid hydrogen. Hydrogen supply module 10 may bemoved by any conveyance.

The step of dispensing hydrogen from a plurality of hydrogen supplymodules to a plurality of hydrogen utilizers may comprise dispensing afirst hydrogen requirement from a hydrogen supply module at a firstlocation and the step of adjusting hydrogen deployment may comprisedispensing a second hydrogen requirement from the same hydrogen supplymodule at a second location. For example, hydrogen supply module 10 maydispense liquid hydrogen while in position 1. While in position 1, someliquid hydrogen may evaporate to form pressurized hydrogen which isstored in another vessel associated with hydrogen supply module 10.After most or all of the liquid hydrogen has been dispensed fromhydrogen supply module 10, it may be moved, for example, to position 4to dispense the pressurized hydrogen it has accumulated during its timein position 1. Hydrogen supply module 10 may be moved to yet anotherlocation for refilling with hydrogen. Hydrogen supply module 10 may bemoved by any conveyance.

In another example, hydrogen supply module 20 may dispense compressedhydrogen while in position 2. The pressure of the stored hydrogen maydecrease, leaving pressurized hydrogen. Hydrogen supply module 20 maythen be moved, for example, to position 4 to dispense pressurizedhydrogen.

Hydrogen may be transferred from a hydrogen utilizer to a hydrogensupply module during the dispensing step. For example, during dispensingto a hydrogen utilizer with a liquid hydrogen requirement, gaseoushydrogen may be displaced from the storage vessel on the hydrogenutilizer and transferred back to the hydrogen supply module. Thisgaseous hydrogen collected by the hydrogen supply module may be laterdispensed to another hydrogen utilizer that has a pressurized hydrogenrequirement. This gaseous hydrogen could be dispensed at the same or adifferent location. For example, with reference to FIG. 2, hydrogensupply module 10 may dispense liquid hydrogen to hydrogen utilizer 50.Gaseous hydrogen displaced from the head space in the liquid storagevessel of hydrogen utilizer 50 may be transferred back to hydrogensupply module 10 during the dispensing of liquid hydrogen. After theliquid hydrogen has been depleted from hydrogen supply module 10,hydrogen supply module 10 may dispense pressurized hydrogen to hydrogenutilizer 70, which in this example has a pressurized hydrogenrequirement.

In another scenario of the current invention, a hydrogen utilizer maytransfer a lower grade or degraded hydrogen back to a hydrogen supplymodule during the dispensing step. The degraded hydrogen may be gaseoushydrogen in the case of a hydrogen utilizer requiring liquid hydrogen asdescribed above or it may be lower purity hydrogen. Lower purityhydrogen may be offloaded from a hydrogen utilizer and replenished withhigher purity hydrogen. Some or all of the lower grade hydrogen may bedispensed to another hydrogen utilizer having a less restrictive purityrequirement at the same or different location.

The step of adjusting hydrogen deployment may comprise directing ahydrogen utilizer to a specific hydrogen supply module and dispensinghydrogen from the hydrogen supply module to the hydrogen utilizer. Forexample, after measuring conditions relating to the hydrogen source ateach of the hydrogen supply modules, the electronic controller couldevaluate the set of measured conditions, and direct a hydrogen utilizerto a specific hydrogen supply module. For example, if positions 1 and 3are generally positions for dispensing liquid hydrogen, and hydrogenutilizer 50 is in need of liquid hydrogen, electronic controller 100would direct hydrogen utilizer 50 to position 1 or 3, consistent withany algorithm that may be in place.

The electronic controller may evaluate the position of the hydrogenutilizer prior to directing the hydrogen utilizer to a hydrogen supplymodule. The electronic controller may evaluate the position of ahydrogen supply module prior to directing the hydrogen utilizer to thehydrogen supply module or other step of adjusting hydrogen deployment.For example, the electronic controller may direct the hydrogen utilizerto the closest hydrogen supply module having the hydrogen requirement,or depending on the quantity available may direct the hydrogen utilizerto a more distant hydrogen supply module having the hydrogenrequirement.

The step of adjusting hydrogen deployment may comprise transferringhydrogen from one hydrogen supply module to another hydrogen supplymodule. For example, with reference to FIG. 2, hydrogen may betransferred from hydrogen supply module 10 to hydrogen supply module 20via conduit 19. It may be more convenient to transfer hydrogen betweenhydrogen supply modules than to direct a hydrogen utilizer to adifferent hydrogen supply module. The step of adjusting hydrogendeployment may comprise transferring hydrogen from one hydrogen supplymodel to another hydrogen supply module, for example, when module 10 hasonly dispensing connector 14 where dispensing connector 14 is fordispensing liquid hydrogen, module 20 has dispensing connector 25 wheredispensing connector 25 is for dispensing pressurized hydrogen and ahydrogen utilizer requires pressurized hydrogen. The electroniccontroller may instruct for hydrogen to be transferred from module 10 tomodule 20 through conduit 19 whereupon, after any required treatment,pressurized hydrogen is dispensed via connector 25 to the hydrogenutilizer.

According to the invention, the method may comprise steps relating to anexternal supply of hydrogen. Information relating to a delivery may beacquired and communicated to the electronic controller. The electroniccontroller may evaluate the information and the step of adjustinghydrogen deployment may depend on the evaluation of this information.The information relating to the hydrogen delivery from an externalsupply may include a scheduled delivery time, a delay of a scheduleddelivery time, the price of the hydrogen delivery, the quantity of thehydrogen delivery, and the specification of the hydrogen delivery. Thespecification of the hydrogen delivery may relate to the pressure,temperature, density, phase and/or purity of the delivered hydrogen.

According to the invention, the method may comprise determining thelocation of two hydrogen utilizers, measuring a condition relating tostored hydrogen on board the two hydrogen utilizers, communicating theconditions to the electronic controller, evaluating the conditions viathe electronic controller, wherein the step of adjusting hydrogendeployment comprises transferring hydrogen from one of the hydrogenutilizers to the other hydrogen utilizer. The condition relating tostored hydrogen on board the hydrogen utilizers may be pressure,density, inventory, mass, temperature, rate of hydrogen usage,anticipated hydrogen usage, and/or concentration of the stored hydrogen.For example, utilizer 70 may be nearly depleted of pressurized hydrogenas indicated by a pressure sensor or densitometer. Utilizer 70 maycommunicate the condition and position to the electronic controller 100.Utilizer 60 may be nearby and communicate a condition relating to itsstored hydrogen indicating sufficient stored hydrogen and its positionto the electronic controller 100. Electronic controller 100 may evaluatethe conditions and positions and determine that utilizer 60 may transferhydrogen to utilizer 70. Hydrogen may then be transferred from utilizer60 to utilizer 70 via conduit 69.

According to the invention, the method may comprise measuring acondition relating to the stored hydrogen on board a hydrogen utilizer,and communicating the condition to the electronic controller, whereinthe step of adjusting hydrogen deployment comprises directing thehydrogen utilizer to a hydrogen supply module and transferring hydrogenfrom the hydrogen utilizer to the hydrogen supply module. Transferringhydrogen from a hydrogen utilizer to a hydrogen supply module may bedesirable for a number of reasons. Hydrogen may need to be offloadedfrom a hydrogen utilizer prior to repair or maintenance. Hydrogen may berequired for a more important utilizer. A hydrogen utilizer may not beneeded for a long period of time. The hydrogen utilizer may not meettransportation regulations and need to be transported to other locationswithout any contained hydrogen. It may just be prudent to transport ahydrogen utilizer empty, for example through a public area betweenutilizer locations.

Hydrogen utilizers may have both hydrogen storage and electricitystorage. Accordingly, the controller may decide which form of energy forthe hydrogen utilizer to use. The method may comprise measuring acondition relating to the stored hydrogen on board a hydrogen utilizer,measuring a condition relating to the stored electricity on board thehydrogen utilizer, and communicating the conditions to the electroniccontroller, wherein the step of adjusting hydrogen deployment comprisesinstructing the hydrogen utilizer to consume the stored electricity.Alternatively, the electronic controller may instruct the hydrogenutilizer to consume the stored hydrogen and conserve the storedelectricity.

At some point it may be desirable to consume hydrogen to generateelectricity and store the electricity. Accordingly the method of thecurrent invention may comprise steps of consuming hydrogen in a hydrogensupply module to generate electricity and storing the generatedelectricity in a battery and/or a capacitor.

Conversely, it may be desirable to consume electricity to generatehydrogen. Accordingly the method of the current invention may comprisesteps of consuming electricity to generate produced hydrogen and storingthe produced hydrogen at the hydrogen supply module. The hydrogen may beproduced by electrolysis of water.

Although illustrated and described herein with reference to specificembodiments, the present invention nevertheless is not intended to belimited to the details shown. Rather, various modifications may be madein the details within the scope and range of equivalents of the claimswithout departing from the spirit of the invention.

1. A method for distributing hydrogen within a heterogeneous hydrogen supply environment comprising: dispensing hydrogen from a plurality of hydrogen supply modules to a plurality of hydrogen utilizers, wherein a first hydrogen utilizer of said plurality of hydrogen utilizers has a first hydrogen requirement and a second hydrogen utilizer of said plurality of hydrogen utilizers has a second hydrogen requirement different from the first hydrogen requirement; subsequently measuring at least one condition relating to a hydrogen source at each of the plurality of hydrogen supply modules thereby forming a set of measured conditions; communicating the set of measured conditions to an electronic controller; evaluating the set of measured conditions via the electronic controller; and adjusting hydrogen deployment in response to the step of evaluating the set of measured conditions.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of adjusting hydrogen deployment comprises moving at least one of the plurality of hydrogen supply modules and subsequently dispensing hydrogen from the at least one of the plurality of hydrogen supply modules.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of dispensing hydrogen from a plurality of hydrogen supply modules to a plurality of hydrogen utilizers comprises dispensing hydrogen to the first hydrogen utilizer from the at least one of the plurality of hydrogen supply modules at a first location; and wherein the step of adjusting hydrogen deployment further comprises dispensing hydrogen to the second hydrogen utilizer from the at least one of the plurality of hydrogen supply modules at a second location.
 4. The method of claim 3 further comprising transferring hydrogen from at least one of the plurality of hydrogen utilizers to the at least one of the plurality of hydrogen supply modules during the dispensing step; and wherein at least a portion of the hydrogen transferred from the at least one of the hydrogen utilizers is at least a portion of the hydrogen dispensed from the at least one of the plurality of hydrogen supply modules at the second location.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of adjusting hydrogen deployment comprises directing at least one of the plurality of hydrogen utilizers to at least one of the plurality of hydrogen supply modules and dispensing hydrogen from the at least one of the plurality of hydrogen supply modules to the at least one of the plurality of hydrogen utilizers.
 6. The method of claim 5 further comprising determining the position of the at least one of the plurality of hydrogen utilizers and evaluating the position of the at least one of the plurality of hydrogen utilizers via the electronic controller prior to the step of directing the at least one of the plurality of hydrogen utilizers.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of adjusting hydrogen deployment comprises transferring hydrogen from at least one of the plurality of hydrogen supply modules to another of the plurality of hydrogen supply modules.
 8. The method of claim 1 further comprising determining the position of at least one of the plurality of hydrogen supply modules and evaluating the position of the at least one of the plurality of hydrogen supply modules via the electronic controller prior to the step of adjusting hydrogen deployment.
 9. The method of claim 1 further comprising: acquiring information relating to a hydrogen delivery to the heterogeneous hydrogen supply environment from an external supply; communicating the information relating to the hydrogen delivery from the external supply to said electronic controller; and evaluating the information relating to the hydrogen delivery from the external supply via the electronic controller; wherein the step of adjusting hydrogen deployment is additionally in response to the step of evaluating the information relating to the hydrogen delivery.
 10. The method of claim 1 further comprising: determining the position of at least two of the plurality of hydrogen utilizers; measuring at least one condition relating to the stored hydrogen in each of the at least two of the plurality of hydrogen utilizers; communicating the at least one condition relating to the stored hydrogen in each of the at least two of the plurality of hydrogen utilizers to the electronic controller; and evaluating the at least one condition relating to the stored hydrogen in each of the at least two of the plurality of hydrogen utilizers via the electronic controller; wherein the step of adjusting hydrogen deployment comprises transferring hydrogen from at least one of the at least two of the plurality of hydrogen utilizers to the other of the at least two of the plurality of hydrogen utilizers.
 11. The method of claim 1 further comprising: measuring at least one condition relating to the stored hydrogen associated with at least one of the plurality of hydrogen utilizers; and communicating the at least one condition relating to the stored hydrogen associated with the at least one of the plurality of hydrogen utilizers to the electronic controller; wherein the step of adjusting hydrogen deployment comprises directing the at least one of the plurality of hydrogen utilizers to at least one of the plurality of hydrogen supply modules and transferring hydrogen from the at least one of the plurality of hydrogen utilizers to the at least one of the plurality of hydrogen supply modules.
 12. The method of claim 1 further comprising: measuring at least one condition relating to the stored hydrogen associated with at least one of the plurality of hydrogen utilizers; measuring at least one condition relating to stored electricity associated with the at least one of the plurality of hydrogen utilizers; communicating the at least one condition relating to the stored hydrogen associated with the at least one of the plurality of hydrogen utilizers to the electronic controller; and communicating the at least one condition relating to the stored electricity associated with the at least one of the plurality of hydrogen utilizers to the electronic controller; wherein the step of adjusting hydrogen deployment comprises instructing the at least one of the plurality of hydrogen utilizers to consume at least a portion of the stored electricity associated with the at least one of the plurality of hydrogen utilizers.
 13. The method of claim 1 further comprising: consuming at least a portion of the hydrogen from the hydrogen source associated with at least one of the plurality of hydrogen supply modules to generate electricity; and storing at least a portion of the generated electricity in at least one of a battery and a capacitor associated with at least one of the plurality of hydrogen supply modules.
 14. A method for distributing hydrogen within a heterogeneous hydrogen supply environment comprising: dispensing hydrogen from a plurality of hydrogen supply modules to a plurality of hydrogen utilizers, wherein a first hydrogen utilizer of said plurality of hydrogen utilizers has a first hydrogen requirement and a second hydrogen utilizer of said plurality of hydrogen utilizers has a second hydrogen requirement different from the first hydrogen requirement; subsequently measuring at least one condition relating to at least one of a hydrogen storage vessel and a hydrogen generator at each of the plurality of hydrogen supply modules thereby forming a set of measured conditions; communicating the set of measured conditions to an electronic controller; evaluating the set of measured conditions via the electronic controller; and adjusting hydrogen deployment in response to the step of evaluating the set of measured conditions, wherein the step of adjusting hydrogen deployment comprises at least one of (a) moving at least one of the plurality of hydrogen supply modules and subsequently dispensing hydrogen from the at least one of the plurality of hydrogen supply modules, (b) directing at least one of the plurality of hydrogen utilizers to at least one of the plurality of hydrogen supply modules and dispensing hydrogen from the at least one of the plurality of hydrogen supply modules to the at least one of the plurality of hydrogen utilizers, and (c) transferring hydrogen from at least one of the plurality of hydrogen supply modules to another of the plurality of hydrogen supply modules. 